Everyone who lives in Great Yarmouth and Waveney will soon be able to collect prescriptions directly from the pharmacy of their choice after every GP surgery in the area signed up to offer a convenient, hassle-free electronic service to patients.

All 26 surgeries covered by HealthEast, the clinical commissioning group for the area, will soon offer the electronic prescription service (EPS) to patients, with the final surgery due to launch EPS in November. The news means that HealthEast will be the first CCG in the east of England to be 100% compliant with the electronic system.

EPS allows patients to ask their doctor to send their prescription straight to the pharmacy of their choice. Their medication will automatically be ready for collection two days later, avoiding the need for them to return to their surgery to collect a written prescription then wait in line at the pharmacy while their drugs are prepared.

The system also means that patients can choose where to collect their prescription from. This can be particularly useful when people are on holiday, or for those who work away from home.

Tracey Bullard, primary care development manager with HealthEast, said: “This fantastic new service is making it even easier for patients to collect their repeat prescriptions in the place of their choice.

“This brings added convenience by cutting out repeat journeys to the surgery, as well as helping save time for practice staff.

“We are really pleased that we will become the first CCG in the eastern region to reach 100% compliance with the system when our final surgery launches EPS in November, and hope that our patients find the service helpful.

“However, it is important to remind people that they will still need to give two days’ notice before their medication is ready, so please don’t forget to order your prescription well in advance.”